The impact of Freedson bout vs. non-Freedson bout physical activity on metabolic syndrome risk in college students

Purpose The aim of this study is to examine moderate to vigorous physical activity in Freedson bouts compared to non-Freedson bouts and their association with Metabolic Syndrome risk factors in college students. Methods 72 subjects aged 18-26 were recruited from James Madison University. Subjects height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and body composition were assessed on visit 1. Blood pressure, fasted blood glucose, and lipid profile were assessed on visit 2. Subjects wore an Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer, which measured physical activity and sleep for 7 days and nights. Univariate Pearson correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationship physical activity variables and MetS risk factors. Variables determined to have the greatest correlation for each risk factor were used as independent variables in a step-wise, multiple linear regression to determine the best predictor for each MetS risk factor. Variables established as having the greatest correlation with MetS were evaluated as covariates. Statistical significance was set a priori at p\u3c0.05. Results Correlational analyses suggest the strongest predictors of MetS were daily average time in moderate activity, daily average MVPA, total number of Freedson bouts, total minutes in Freedson bouts, total MVPA, and total steps. Step count was the only significant predictor of waist circumference and systolic blood pressure (R2= 0.07; p\u3c0.05; R2= 0.14; p\u3c0.01, respectively). Total Freedson bouts was the only significant predictor for HDL (R2= 0.062; p\u3c0.05). Waist circumference was significantly higher in the lowest (86.4 ± 9.6) and moderate (87.6 ± 13.4) tertile compared to the highest tertile (74.8 ± 9.4) Conclusion Total step count has the largest influence on elevated WC and SBP risk in college students. Total Freedson bouts has the largest influence on low HDL risk in college students